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In which cities will you find the most people who owe the most dough on their auto loans?

The quick answer appears to be look south. Three of the 10 cities where borrowers owe the most on their auto loans are in Louisiana, including No. 1 Shreveport, according to analysis by Manilla.com, a personal consumer finance online service. Six of the metro area with the highest loan balances are in the heart of Dixie.

The list:

1. Shreveport, La.: $18,603

2. New Orleans: $ 17,759

3. Houston: $ 17,281

4. Little Rock-Pinebluff, Ark.: $ 17,061

5. San Antonio: $16,999

6. Lafayette, La.: $16,639

7. New York: $ 16,566

8. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale: $16,326

9. Las Vegas: $16,257

10. Wilkes Barre-Scranton, Penn.: $ 16,229

Why the South? The economy was generally better in the South during the recession. Manilla.com, citing government figures, says Louisiana has had some of the strongest employment gains over the summer.

Nationally, as we reported recently, auto loans are up and delinquencies are down. It's a boon to the auto industry, which is thrilled that customers can get credit again after largely being shut out during the depths of the recession.